Today in Brussels, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has welcomed a standardised e-ID process, which seeks to address both privacy and security concerns.
Approval came on 5 March for the e-ID, which will allow citizens to authenticate and identify themselves online. Though the regulation will oblige member states to give their citizens an electronic identification method, it will be voluntary for businesses and citizens to use. Though now approved, the law will also have to be passed by the EU Council of Ministers before coming into effect by summer 2024 – and will apply to all EU member states with immediate effect.
Secretary General at the EGBA Maarten Haijer is "confident that the use of the new e-ID in our sector will lead to a more seamless and trustworthy online experience for players and help to reduce costs and administration for gambling operators."
Based out of Brussels, the EGBA represents online gambling operators as a trade association all regulated, licensed and established in the EU. Working with companies such as bet365, William Hill and the Kindred Group, the EGBA works with national and EU authorities alike to provide consumer protection. Its members serve 31.2 million customers and possessing 267 online gambling licences.
A supporter of the e-ID since its inception, the EGBA sees potential in the system to help change the way online gaming services are utilised in the EU, improving security, data protection and user privacy.
This motion comes just one week after the EGBA appointed Frankfurt as the seat of AMLA, as part of the EU’s anti-money laundering campaign.
Haijer spoke exclusively to the Huddle at ICE London.
